I discovered lip gloss at the tender age of 12. Throughout my school years, I stuffed countless tubes into my pencil case; a practice which eventually left me with an abyss of gloss and no writing utensils to be found. (Luckily, my job as a Beauty Editor excuses — even promotes — my longtime habit.) All of this to say: I love lips. Heck, I love my own lips. As a result, I’m always keen to try products and treatments that focus on the area.

Injectable filler

I was 22 when I first tried lip filler — an injectable substance that temporarily adds volume to the lips. I had just started working in the beauty industry, and cosmetic injectables were not an uncommon topic among my colleagues — many of whom chatted openly about their own experiences with filler.

The injectable treatment left me with fuller lips — a result I loved so much, I’ve become a repeat customer (three times). Additionally, I have since tried filler in my cheeks, which added volume.

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[Editor’s note: Injectable filler is a temporary treatment that adds volume to areas of the face such as the lips, cheeks, and laugh lines. Like any medical treatment, it has potential risks and side effects. Be sure to talk to a licensed provider to see if it’s right for you. Have more questions? Chat with our team of trained aesthetic specialists now. ]

Here are my favorite makeup techniques:

Lip Scrub

To ensure my lips are as crease-and-flake free as possible, I use a lip scrub (such as the Bite Beauty® Agave Lip Scrub, $18) to slough off any dry flakes that could interfere with subsequent product application. An additional side effect of scrubbing is a temporarily plumper pout; the scrubbing motion promotes circulation and draws blood to the surface of the lips.

Longwear Matte Lipstick

I am a firm believer that a good matte lipstick can complete an entire makeup look — even if you don’t have time to apply anything else as you’re rushing out the door. A longwear formula such as the Stila Stay All Day® Liquid Lipstick ($22) truly delivers on its promise, meaning there’s no need to worry about touching up after my morning coffee.

I am also a longtime fan of the Anastasia Beverly Hills®Liquid Lipstick ($20) formula, which comes in virtually every shade imaginable and doesn’t seem to cause as much “cracking” as some other formulas I’ve tried.

Lip Liner

Liner is not an essential part of my daily routine, but I will use one if I want to create a particularly crisp-looking border around my lips. (Quick tip: Tracing above your natural lip line can make your pout appear more voluminous.) Recently, I’ve been drawn to lipstick/lip liner hybrids such as the Dr. Haushka Deep Infinity Lip Crayon ($22), which features a tip that’s both sharp and thick enough to line and fill in, respectively. If you’re a fan of traditional lip liner, peruse these product recommendations from celebrity makeup artists.

Plumping Gloss

For as long as I’ve worn gloss, I’ve been enamored with formulas that promise instant plumping effects. These products contain irritating ingredients, which induce swelling and trigger a fuller-looking pout.

Highlighter and Bronzer

I love experimenting with different highlighter textures, shades, and formulas. I’m a huge fan of the Cover FX® Custom Enhancer Drops in Halo ($42), an intensely iridescent shade that’s ideal weekend wear. For weekdays, I’ll swipe on one of the many BECCA® Shimmering Skin Perfectors® ($38). My go-to shade is called Prismatic Amethyst; it’s a surprisingly flattering lilac hue that doubles as blush and makes my cheeks glow. (Out of all of the products I wear on a regular basis, it’s the one that elicits the most compliments!)

Additionally, I love a good cream bronzer, which can further draw attention to my cheeks. The Milk Makeup® Matte Bronzer Cream Bronzer Stick($24) can also be used as a contour stick, which creates the illusion of shadow underneath my cheekbones.

Some products were gifted to the author for the purpose of writing this article.

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